Dark Lover: The Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 1

The vampire Darius fears for the life of his half-breed daughter, who is unaware of her unusual destiny. To oversee her transformation, Darius seeks help from Wrath, a dangerous loner and the world's only purebred vampire.

Blood Kiss: Black Dagger Legacy, Book 1

The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series. Paradise, blooded daughter of the king's first advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood's training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself...be herself. It's a good plan until everything goes wrong.

Blood Vow: Black Dagger Legacy, Book 2

The Black Dagger Brotherhood continues to train the best of the best to join them in the deadly battle against the Lessening Society. Among the new recruits, Axe proves to be a cunning and vicious fighter - and also a loner isolated because of personal tragedy. When an aristocratic female needs a bodyguard, Axe takes the job, though he's unprepared for the animal attraction that flares between him and the one he is sworn to protect.

Drantos

For most, a plane crash means the end of life. For Dusti Dawson, it's just the beginning...Dusti and her sister Batina survived the crash, thanks to a couple of brothers who are equal parts menacing and muscled. She'd be grateful...if they hadn't turned out to be delusional kidnappers, who believe Dusti's grandfather is some monstrous halfbreed creature bent on murder. Turns out Vampires, Lycans, and Gargoyles do exist - and they've been crossbreeding to form two hybrid races.

The Bourbon Kings

For generations the Bradford family has worn the mantle of kings of the bourbon capital of the world. Their sustained wealth has afforded them prestige and privilege - as well as a hard-won division of class on their sprawling estate, Easterly. Upstairs, a dynasty that by all appearances plays by the rules of good fortune and good taste. Downstairs, the staff who work tirelessly to maintain the impeccable Bradford facade. And never the twain shall meet. For Lizzie King, Easterly's head gardener, crossing that divide nearly ruined her life.

The Angels' Share: A Bourbon Kings Novel

In Charlemont, Kentucky, the Bradford family is the crème de la crème of high society - just like their exclusive brand of bourbon. And their complicated lives and vast estate are run by a discrete staff who inevitably become embroiled in their affairs. This is especially true now, when the apparent suicide of the family patriarch is starting to look more and more like murder....

Lorn

Being raised among a race of half-breed Vampires and Lycans has been far from easy for Kira. VampLycans despise humans - and her mother's human blood runs deep in Kira's veins. Unable to shift, having few VampLycan traits at all, Kira is denied acceptance from the clan, and the love of the man she's wanted since childhood. A little girl's crush that's bloomed into a desire so strong, it threatens to consume her. Suffering the pain of Lorn someday finding a mate is not an option.

Ha’ven’s Song: Curizan Warrior, Book 1

Ha'ven Ha'darra is the Crown Prince of the Curizans, an advanced species known for their technology. They may not have the power to shift like the Valdier or the Sarafin, but they have hidden powers of their own that they closely guard. Not even his best friends, Creon Reykill of the Valdier or Vox d'Rojah of the Sarafin, are aware of the powers he holds within his deadly frame.

Kraven

Batina Dawson wants two things most in her life. She's determined to become a partner at her law firm and secure her younger sister's financial future. That's why she talked Dusti into flying to Alaska, to mend fences with their terminally ill, rich grandfather. It seemed to be a perfect plan - until things go wrong. The plane crashes and their lives are saved by two large, muscled brothers. Kraven is a spiked-haired menace with a handsome face and a killer body.

Seven Years: Seven, Book 1

It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier.

A Touch of Midnight: Midnight Breed Series, Book 0.5

Savannah Dupree is a freshman studying at Boston University on a full scholarship. But Savannah possesses something even more remarkable than a quick mind and an insatiable curiosity for learning. With a simple touch, she can see an object's past-a skill that puts her life in danger when her studies bring her into contact with a centuries-old English sword and the terrible secret hidden within the blade's history.

Feral Sins: Phoenix Pack, Book 1

Taryn Warner is a wolf shifter with extraordinary healing skills - and serious problems. First, her father is determined that she mate for life with a wolf shifter named Roscoe Weston, whom the feisty Taryn can’t stand. To make matters worse, she’s also been kidnapped by Trey Coleman, a dangerous alpha male from another pack. And as much as she wants to resist Trey, Taryn is incredibly, maddeningly attracted to him.

Risk

Simon Hunt is a masterful Mage when it comes to knives, solving puzzles, and women. But when a Mageri councilman asks for a personal favor, his skills are put to the test. He reluctantly accepts the impossible job of training a young Learner who is beyond anyone's help. She's beautiful, cunning, and disabled. If he succeeds he'll receive a hefty paycheck. But if he fails, more is at stake than merely his reputation.

Blood Ecstasy: Blood Curse Series, Book 8

Julien Lacusta is a troubled soul, born into tragic circumstances, and raised in a violent time. Despite being a Master Warrior in the house of Jadon, and one of the most elite trackers the Vampyr have ever seen, he is damaged to the core: tormented by endless shadows, haunted by unseen ghosts. And he knows - by all the celestial gods he knows - that if he ever releases those demons, the beasts that lurk within, there will be hell, fire, and brimstone to pay.

Rendezvous with Yesterday: Gifted Ones Series, Book 2

Modern-day bounty hunter Bethany Bennett helps her brother track two fugitives to a forest outside of Houston, Texas. But what should have been a routine apprehension of two bail skippers spirals out of control and ends in violence. After Beth and her brother are both seriously injured, a mysterious figure suddenly looms over her. And, when the smoke clears, Beth finds herself not only in another place, but in another time.

Winter Moon: Seven Series, Book 7.5

The Weston pack waited until the last minute to prepare for Christmas. Spirits are low, and now they're in a scramble when a freak snowstorm knocks out the power. Despite bickering among packmates and the threat of rogues, the family is determined to make this a memorable Christmas. But when an important family member goes missing, the pack is galvanized into action. Time is running out, and the temperature is dropping fast.

Blood Genesis: Blood Curse Series

Before there was a modern-day town called Dark Moon Vale, there was an ancient kingdom nestled in the Transylvanian Alps. Before there was a primordial species called the Vampyr, there was a celestial race begotten of gods and men. Before light battled shadow, the sacrifice became mandatory, or the first Blood Moon adorned the celestial sky... There was The Curse.

Undone: Vampire Awakenings, Book 5

It has been six years since Abigail Byrne laid eyes on Brian Foley, but since then she's been unable to keep him out of her thoughts and dreams. Determined to try to forget him, she moves on with her life until the day her twin sister disappears without a trace. Abby has no choice but to turn to Brian for help in locating her twin, even if it results in having her heart broken.

Publisher's Summary

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world - to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. And if he can't have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers.

But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

Since Butch O'Niel is my favorite character, I have to give this a 5 star rating, after all, I flip through the other BDB books looking for glimpses of his character, but I really wish it was narrated by someone who could capture the characters better and make them more believable. I don't like Jim Frangione.

Butch has been one of my favorite characters of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series since he was introduced. What attracted me the most about him was the fact that he is the only human out of the bunch and yet he still manages to hold his own in the vampire world. This alone makes him the most badass of them all in my opinion! His story is different from those of the brothers in many respects but it’s just as riveting and heartbreaking. Plus, it’s about Marissa too who’s a phenomenal character in her own right. Lover Revealed will make you weep, seethe with anger and then weep some more. It’s a killer ride but the ending makes it all worth while.

Lover Awakened is a hard act to follow but Ward still manages to deliver a solid fourth installment. I particularly enjoyed the friendship between V and Butch in Lover Revealed. It’s not easy to convey brotherly love without having their manhood take a slight hit but this book succeeded. The level of devotion and honesty that comes through in this novel is breath taking. The characters try to play it down with some manly joking which made the emotional elements both moving and funny at the same time. Butch puts up a strong front but on the inside he’s really quite vulnerable. I liked reading about his personal conflicts and his struggle to find a place to belong within the brotherhood.

Marissa is just as troubled as Butch but because she’s a female her emotions are always close to the surface and sometimes make her appear weak. I found that she grew a lot as a character in this book. She finally takes charge of her life and even pulls a few ballsy moves that really impressed me. Oh, and she finally gets laid! Anyone who’s capable of remaining a virgin for over three centuries deserves some credit. As a result, in true Black Dagger Brotherhood fashion, Lover Revealed is as scorching hot as its predecessors. Needless to say that after Marissa discovers what all the fuss is about she is hooked! The fact that she’s getting it on with Butch doesn’t hurt either.

This was my first audio book experience with a male narrator. It definitely took some getting used to and I found the female dialogue a little comical at times but overall Frangione does an excellent job. He has a great tone and accurately portrays the badass attitude that’s prevalent throughout this series. Jim also reads the action-y chapters with enthusiasm and the sex scenes with heat.

The ending sort of wraps up Butch’s humanity “problem” with a nice, neat bow but I think that it was fitting and that he deserves his happily ever after just as much as any of the brothers do. Lover Revealed is impassioned, dramatic and delivers a great story. Lover Awakened retains its top seat among my favorites in this series but all bets are off because Vishous is up next in Lover Unbound!

My least favorite of the series, but still a worthy listen. My main issue with this book is that up until now, the world Ward has created, and the laws within that world have been established. This book seems to stretch those laws - a lot! I mean, we are reading fiction, so not everything needs to be plausible in real life, but in the world of the books, this book forces the reader to be flexible with what the author wants us to believe. I get why she did it - but... (this is where I have to let it go and give the author authority over her own story).

Having said that, good book! I love, love, love the interaction between Beth and Marissa. So nice to see an author who doesn't make female characters either man-hating BFFs or so catty you want to kill them both. Wards women are beautifully written with true wisdom and stength of character. Both Butch and Marissa are learning how to be who they really are. And like most people, they screw it up along the way. They have a slow start, they fumble the ball a lot - they struggle to understand each other - the first time they have sex, well ... This book is more "human", which in itself made it an interesting read compared the first 3 books.

And of course, as we move through the series the plot thickens and the "big bad" is getting bigger and badder. I can't wait to get to Vs story!!! Jim - I luv ya Jim. (for complete review of Jim, see my previous reviews).

Finally!! It took Marissa's brother kicking her out for her to get some backbone. YEAH!! Watching her growth and development was truly satisfying. Learning more about Butch's back ground finally answered some questions about his affinity with/for the Brotherhood. This book sowed seeds for further development, I can't wait for John's story. Will Torhment finally return? Keeping my fingers crossed for him.

My co-worker should have prewarned me about the brotherhood books...I read each one, got the cd's and then had to download them on my i-touch...I can't count how many times I have listened to them...each time I heard something new...These are some of the best reading I have done in a long time...

I love this series. In the beginning of this book I disliked Marissa she was too naïve I mean she is over 300 years old and a virgin who had never worn pants I am so glad she grew a backbone. Butch has been in love with Marissa since the first time he met her she was Wraths shellan who he had never taken. Butch touches something deep inside her and only her feelings of unworthiness combined with her fear that if she feeds from Butch she will kill him, keep her from falling into the arms of the human who has touched her in these unknown ways. Her relationship with her brother has fallen apart because of her feelings for a human. Her brother is a doctor and has placed Marissa on a pedestal he in unable to forgive her when she falls in love with a human. Butch runs into a situation where he chooses to save a pre-transition vampire from the lessers who are attacking him. He is captured and tortured by the lessers. When the Omega finds out who Butch is he inserts an evil part of himself into Butch. Now only Marissa, the Brotherhood and the Scribe Virgin may be able to save him. But even with the changes in his body he is determined to fight and serve the ones he trusts and loves. Butch as it turns out is a cousin to Wrath therefore he can turn into a vampire hear is where the story gets weird he is part lesser and part vampire. Vishous was in this book a great deal and helps Butch with the change We also discover why there is the special bond between Butch and the brother Vishous. I felt for Vishous who saw Butch as 'his', not in a sexual way, but in a brotherly love kind of way. Though he is happy for Butch, he can't help but feel more lonely than ever. It was also good to see John Matthews and the other pre-transition warriors, become friends and allowing for this series to go beyond the main brotherhood characters I also liked that John stood up for himself against Lash, but John seems so lost and I was glad that Wrath stepped in to help him. I am looking forward to reading the next book about V and his BDSM.

The book was, as usual for this author, very entertaining. The download was a disappointment as there is a long blank space about half way through part 2. Too bad because I think I missed a lot of story line details.

I really thought I would like butch and marissa's story but I got quickly fed up with the misinterpretations and self depreciation it got old fast. They deserved to lose out on each other after all that. I seriously quit rooting for them before half the book was done.

As like all the Black Dagger Brotherhood books, there exists around the town of Caldwell, NY the secret band of brother vampire warriors who are the defenders of their race in a life and death battle with the Lessors - a group of soulless once human beings that have been turned into pure evil by the most evil of them all - the Omega. Their goal is to wipe out the vampire race and the Brotherhood which is intent on holding the lessors at bay. Each of the books so far has highlighted each of the Vampire Warrior brothers. Book 4 - LOVER REVEALED is the story of Butch O’Neal - the human who was befriended and allowed into the inner sanctum of the Brotherhood, loved and trusted and treated almost as if her were born of the vampire strain. This is Butch’s amazing story and revelations.

*** A fighter by nature, Butch made his living as an ex-homicide cop so he knew how to fight, nothing as compared to the men he now called ‘brothers’ but he could hold his own if the brothers’ were less magical and strong as powers inherent in their bloodlines gave them. Butch was more or less adopted and became best friends with Vishous who plays an important and vital spot in Butch’s story as does Marissa, a full-blooded aristocratic vampire, who is far beyond Butch’s reach and his love interest.

In LOVER REVEALED, many things come to light which push this story forward and make it one of the more exciting edge-of-the-seat volumes in this series. In this, our favorite ‘cop’ Butch gets caught by the Lesser’s and not only is he tortured, but something is done to him by the Omega that makes Butch a walking time-bomb - but for which side? And who ultimately will be able to save him - Vishous or Marissa?

The skill and artistry Ms. Ward has for creating unbelievably tense situations that turn and twist all over the place as she tells the stories of these fabulous vampires is simply awesome! She continues to dazzle and enthrall me with each layer of loyalty, bravery, and yes, humanity for these amazing warriors have for each other and their kind. Ward simply covers all the bases, consistently adding in more and more layers of revelations about each of characters lives and hinting at even more to come.

Bottom line: In LOVER REVEALED, J.R. Ward delivers in spades another fabulous volume to this a totally captivating series that has me completely entranced! WOW!